Road Cycling - Any opinions of Torelli and Mondonico framesets?

I have started my search for a new bike and called a number of shops today. I have a top limit of about US$3,000. I got the feeling that for that kind of money I'd only be getting at best a very mediocre carbon or ti frame. One shop, which I really like, said that I would get much more bang for my buck with a steel frame. The shop sells Torelli and Mondonico frames. Any opinions on those framesets? Is the guy from the shop right that I am going to get a much better frame for my money with steel?

Thanks in advance.

Rich

Torelli is a branded frame meaning it is built by a frame shop somewhere in Italy under contract to Torelli Imports and then a Torelli decal is put on it. Torelli is a marketing/merchandising compay that has been around for a long time.

Mondonico is an actual Italian frame builder. I have never seen a Mondonico, so I can't comment on the frame.

As to whether you'll get better value? That is entirely subjective. You can get a full Campagnolo Chorus equipped Titanium bicycle for $3000.00.(Colnago Ovalmaster) So check around.

And check out eBay. You can get a Litespeed or Lemond or whatever high-end bike that is a year or two old for half that amount. For $3,000 you will get about as good as it gets on eBay, new. In fact, I just bought a 1990 lugged TREK with full Ultegra for $86, ready to ride. My new Scapin cost $2700 with a 10-speed Record group and Ksyrium wheels about 8 months ago.

Mondonico is a very nice frame, gets good points for
build quality and ride.
For the money you're talking I'd say check out
Pegoretti they have some very nice frames, steel, and Alu.
Also check Serotta, I believe they have a few frames in
that price range.
Paramountscapin, what model Trek did you get?

Marty

Rich,

I would trust Terry's judgement (that's who it is, right?). If so, he also sells Serotta and Fuso framesets so you could go that route as well. I'm confident that he asked you about your riding style and what you were looking to get out of the bike. Did you get a fitting, too?

Steve

Originally posted by SteveE
I would trust Terry's judgement (that's who it is, right?).

Steve

I don't know who Terry is. I spoke over the phone with a guy named Jerry at Shaw's in Santa Clara. I like how they do the fit there. However, I wish they had a bigger selection.

To tell the truth, I was rather discouraged by what people in various shops had to say. It seems that 3,000 bucks won't get me very far--at least in a retail shop. Maybe that's just a ploy to get me to settle for something that's a lot less than what I dreamed of. Actually, that just makes me question why I want a new bike at all. The bike I'm riding fits me well and I'm happy riding it. It is becoming clear that the kind of things I want are not available in my price range.

I know that I can find better buys in mail order or on line, but I don't want to buy a bike that I haven't ridden at all. I find eBay shopping a bit too intense for me. I just don't have it in me, to go to a shop and get them to let me test ride a bike, and then go home and buy it on line.

Rich

the mondonico frames i have seen are beautiful. it's got the classic steel lug look that
i like however they are not light as compare with the alu, ti or carbon frames. it all depends
on what you like and after. i would consider mondonico one fine classic italian bike.
with 3k, there are lots of choices...is look more important? is custom more important? or
is weigh more important? etc...

Originally posted by Stinger9oh
It seems that 3,000 bucks won't get me very far--at least in a retail shop.... It is becoming clear that the kind of things I want are not available in my price range.

In your post you asked about two different brands of steel bikes and about the relative value of steel. But you didn't state what kind of things you want. What do you want? $3000.00 will buy you alot of bike in my opinion in a shop or online.

Serotta has some good deals on their web site,
anything from an Ottrott frame for $3250 to Colorado III for
$1790. If you can find your size, some very good deals.
I think the shop saying there isn't much choice for $3K is
Stinky Applesause as a late member used to say.
I've seen alot of good frames for way less than 3k at the LBS,
and many good quality full bikes.

Marty

Hi,
glad you are out shopping now. At $3K, they are all really good bikes. It's more a question of style, to be honest. Bikes start getting really good around $1500, by $2K you can find great bikes (esp in the fall). It really comes down to finding the one you love. Here's a few I like. The Litespeed Tuscany is one helluva bike, the Airborne Valkyrie looks great (I am getting some bike lust for this guy) and I am dying to try one. It's similar to the Tuscany, but cheaper.
There are more good steel bikes than you could shake a stick at. Try as many as you can; look for one that fits like a glove. Btw, I would let somebody else do product testing. When carbon fiber rear triangles prove themselves in a few years time; I might consider one. For this kind of dough, you might as well buy something you know you will be able to keep riding for the next 2 or 3 decades.

Marty,

Shaw's is a pretty small shop and they do not carry that many bikes. I've never seen much invertory there. There's hardly any room. If Rich wants to find a cheaper bike then he needs to look for a different shop. If it wasn't for the fact that there's a Serotta dealer only 1.5 miles from where I live, I would've purchased my Serotta from Shaw's.

Rich,

There are only two guys in Shaw's as far as I know. Terry is the owner and does the fitting. There's also a mechanic but I don't know his name. Terry has been around quite some time and is well-regarded.

Steve

Originally posted by late
The Litespeed Tuscany is one helluva bike, the Airborne Valkyrie looks great (I am getting some bike lust for this guy) and I am dying to try one. It's similar to the Tuscany, but cheaper.

Developed an appetite for Ti, late?

Take a closer look at the Valkyrie. I wouldn't call it 'similar to the Tuscany'. The geometry, tubing, and overall appearance of both bikes is quite different.

Hi,
unfortunately, yes. I haven't ridden one. I know a bike shop that has one on sale; it's old enough that I am reasonably sure $1500 in cash would get it out the door. But I am afraid to ride it. It would kill the budget, but that's not the important part. Wifey would kill me :D I believe they are both high end sport/performance bikes. I kinda doubt there's a Tuscany in my future (or a Valkyrie for that matter). But it would be nice to have a fast road bike for group rides and such.

I have the Torelli Countach. It is one of 2 frames that is made by Mondonico. I really like the ride and can't really think of anything I would like to change, but my only other reference is a 10 yr old Klein mtn bike.

It is true that there are a lot of bikes in this price range. I had my mind made up on an Italian steel frame..... Mondonico and his son are in the states measuring for frames. It might be a great oppty to get fit by builder.